Leeds Rhinos Development Academy lose out in Cumbria

Leeds Rhinos Development Academy with Leeds City College suffered their second loss of the season, with a 42-16 defeat at the hands of Furness Raiders on Wednesday.

Tries from Tyler Dargan and Josh Beevers gave Dan Hardy’s side, who are part of Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s ground-breaking Category 3 Rugby Academy, run in partnership the College, an excellent start- but the home side hit back strongly, scoring eight tries on their way to victory.

It was a much changed Leeds side from the one that faced Hull FC Foundation College on the opening day of the season, with Hardy able to name just three subs as they made the long journey north to face the Raiders at Barrow’s Craven Park ground.

The first half was a tight affair that saw Leeds take the lead twice through scores from Dargan and Beevers, only for Furness to hit back via tries from Max Anderson-Moore and Elliot Bibby, before Higgins made the most of a knock-on to give the hosts a 16-12 lead at the break.

After the restart it was unfortunately one-way traffic, Higgins extending the lead two minutes into the second half with a good finish down the left before Sam Purslow dived in after being set up by Bibby to make the scoreline more comfortable.

Furness then added some extra gloss to the scoreline with three tries in the last ten minutes, as Emslie went in under the posts, before Rhys Bartlett crashed his way over from a tap penalty. Emslie had the final say though and rounded things off by burrowing over after a brilliant break through the middle by Harry Gordon.

The defeat sees Leeds Rhinos Development Academy remain 7th in the AoC Premier Division table and hoping to secure their first win of the campaign when they take on Wakefield College next Wednesday, 9th October, at Leeds Rugby Academy in Kirkstall (2pm KO).

To check out more photos from the 42-16 loss to Furness Raiders, please click HERE.